Label-feeding attachment

ABSTRACT

A sewing machine attachment for working the bottom of a supply stack of labels so that the individual labels thereof are delivered, one at a time, to a sewing station. Each label is supplied folded in half and is delivered from an out-of-the-way supply station which, neither by obstruction nor otherwise, interferes with the sewing operation. Moreover, simultaneously with its delivery, an unfolding movement is produced in each label which greatly facilitates the placement of a garment or the like therein preparatory to sewing attachment thereof.

United States Patent [72] lnventors Neal Parlatore Laurelton; AntonioTomasello, Yonkers, both of N.Y. [21] Appl. No. 19,306 [22] Filed Mar.13,1970 145] Patented Oct. 12, 1971 [73] Assignee Gellman Industries,Inc.

New York, N.Y.

[54] LABEL-FEEDING ATTACHMENT 9 Claims, 13 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.Cl 112/104 [51] 1nt.Cl D05b 3/12, D05b 3/20 [50] Field ofSearch.l 112/104, 105, 265,101, 88, 99,100;271/8,10,12,45,51,69;221/240, 156, 174

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,544,739 7/1925 Grieb112/104 2,313,433 3/1943 Golden 112/104 2,548,692 4/1951 Vollmanetal.112/104 2,560,186 7/1951 Plopper 112/104 3,094,084 6/1963 Hedegaard.....112/104 3,377,972 4/1968 Cohenetal 112/104 3,477,398 11/1969 Weigert112/104 3,482,537 12/1969 M0l'11 1 112/104 3,513,791 5/1970 Fulp 112/104Primary Examiner-Jordan Franklin Assistant Examiner-George V. LarkinAttorney-Bauer & Goodman ABSTRACT: A sewing machine attachment forworking the bottom of a supply stack of labels so that the individuallabels thereof are delivered, one at a time, to a sewing station. Eachlabel is supplied folded in half and is delivered from an out-ofthe-waysupply station which, neither by obstruction nor otherwise, interfereswith the sewing operation. Moreover, simultaneously with its delivery,an unfolding movement is produced in each label which greatlyfacilitates the placement of a garment or the like therein preparatoryto sewing attachment thereof.

PATENTED um I 21971 SHEET 1 [IF 4 INVENTORS NEAL PARLATO E ANTONIOTOMASEL 0 ATTORNEYS PATENTEUncnmen 3,611,959

sum 2 or 4 mvsmoxs NEAL PARLATORE ANTONIO TOMASELLO aw ,(M

12 ATTORNEYS PATENTED 001 1 21911 SHEET .3 BF 4 FIGS FIG.6b

INVENTORS NEAL PARLATORE ANTONIO TOMASELLO ATTORNEYS PATENTEU nm 1 2 m1SHEET t 0F 4 INVENTORS NEAL PARLATORE ANTONIO TOMASELLO ibi ATTORNEYS agarment or the like within its folded portions. Thus, at the sewingstation, the free side edges of the label are in facing relation to theseamstress and consequently enable placement of the garmenttherebetween. This required orientation of the label at the sewingstation, however, greatly complicates the label delivery problem and, infact, renders inappropriate the label-feeding attachments now inprevalent use. These known attachments advantageously utilize gravityand feed in a generally vertically oriented chute or track, which isreadily workable for an end-folded label, but not a side-foldedembodiment.

-With a side-folded label, a vertical feed path would, by and large,necessitate placement of the attachment in front of the sewing machine,thereby interfering with sewing operation, if only by visualobstruction. Thus, known label-feeding attachments, characterized by avertical label feed path, are not entirely satisfactory.

Broadly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improvedsewing machine label-feeding attachment overcoming the foregoing andother shortcomings of the prior art. Specifically, it is an object toprovide an efficiently operating horizontally oriented label feed, whichcan readily be located in an out-of-the-way side position, and which,without gravity feed, effectively delivers labels, in the desiredorientation, to the sewing machine sewing station.

A label-feeding attachment demonstrating objects and advantages of thepresent invention includes label delivery means for transporting aside-folded label along a horizontal track into a sewing station, thefold of such label being rearwardly disposed during such transport sothat at the sewing station the opposite free edges of the label face theseamstress. Moreover, during movement into place at the sewing station,the present invention contemplates producing an unfolding of the labelparts which, in an obvious manner, facilitates the sewing attachment ofthe label to the portion of the garment or the like inserted within thelabel parts.

The above brief description, as well as further objects, features andadvantages of the present invention, will be more fully appreciated byreference to the following detailed description of a presentlypreferred, but nonetheless illustrative embodiment in accordance withthe accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sewing machine sewing station to whichindividual labels are delivered by the label-feeding attachment hereof;

FIGS. 2 and 2a are perspective views illustrating the steps by which atypical garment is inserted in a label, and sewing attachment of suchlabel to said garment is subsequently achieved;

FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating structural features of thelabel-feeding attachment;

FIGS. 4 and 4a are side elevational views, in section taken on line 44of FIG. 3, illustrating the preparation of a label at a label supplystation incident to the delivery thereof to said sewing station;

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view illustrating the manner in which alabel is engaged at the label supply station preparatory to beingdelivered to the sewing station;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view, in section taken on line 6- 6 of FIG.3, illustrating the condition of the label as it is being delivered intothe sewing station;

FIGS. 6a and 6b are sectional views related to FIG. 6 and illustratingthe progressive condition of the label during its delivery within thesewing station;

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view, in section taken on line 7-7 of FIG.3, illustrating structural details of the sewing station; and

FIGS. 8 and 8a are perspective views illustrating the loading of asupply stack of labels within the label-feeding attachment hereof.

Reference is now made to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1-3,in which the general overall construction and arrangement is illustratedof a sewing machine label-feeding attachment, generally designated 10,demonstrating objects and advantages of the present invention. It willbe understood that attachment 10 is part of auxiliary equipment for asewing machine, the bed 12 of which is shown in FIGS. I and 3 and which,in a well-understood manner, defines a sewing station, as at 14.

Operatively arranged in a laterally offset relation from the sewingstation 14 is a label supply station, as at 16, from which labels areindividually delivered along a label feed path 18 into proper sewingposition at the sewing station 14. For claritys sake, the magazine orhousing for the supply stack of labels which is mounted at the supplystation 16 is omitted from FIGS. 1 and 3 in order that the structuralfeatures and construction of the label delivery means can be betterillustrated.

The labels which the attachment I0 is advantageously designed to handleare designated 20 in FIGS. 2 and 2a and is of the type having foldedportions 22 and 24 which, in turn, each optionally has a folded inturnedend 26. Thus, each label 20 presents or has a fold like 28 along oneedge thereof. Label 20, as just described, is typically used to completethe construction of a garment back seam 30, as by covering the abuttingends 32 of an elastic strip 34 sewn about the waist opening of thegarment. As illustrated in FIG. 2a, label 20 is box stitched, as at 35,in place at the top of the seam 30 in a manner concealing the elasticends 32. As can be readily appreciated, proper positioning of label 20over the upper edge of the elastic 34 is facilitated by label 20assuming an unfolded condition, as illustrated in FIG. 2, which in anobvious manner enables the placement of the elastic 34 between thelabelfolded portions 22 and 24. In accordance with the present in- Vvention, this favorable unfolded condition of label 20 is achievedsimultaneously with the delivery thereof to the sewing station I4.

The label-feeding attachment 10, as clearly illustrated in FIGS. 1 and3, is advantageously supported by the sewing machine bed 12.Specifically, attachment 10 includes a main support place 36appropriately supported on the machine bed 12 and also an elevatedsupport place 38 mounted on vertically oriented posts 40 and 42. Asalready noted, for claritys sake, the housing for the label supply stackwhich is located at the label supply station 16 has been omitted. Itshould be understood, however, that this housing is supported on themain support plate 36 at the label supply station 16. Additionally, thismagazine or housing, all as will be described in detail subsequently,includes a dispensing opening in facing relation to a label-receivingsurface 44 which actually receives the bottompositioned label 20 of thesupply stack. Surface 44 includes four ports 48 machined therein throughwhich a suction pressure is applied against the bottom label 20 forpurposes of drawing this label firmly against the surface 44.Thereafter, the bottom-positioned label 20 is transferred along a smoothsurface portion of the plate 36 which herein serves as a track and whichdefines the previously noted label path of movement 18. Specifically,label 20 is moved from station I6 along the path 18 into the sewingstation 14. The four ports 48 are closed by the lower surface of thelabel carrier 52 immediately after the label 20 has been removed fromstation 16.

As may best be appreciated from a consideration of FIGS. 1 and 3, thedelivery of a label from label supply station 16 to the sewing station14 is achieved by the pivotally mounted label carrier, generallydesignated 52. Carrier 52 includes an arcuate member 54 which, at amedial location, has an upstanding bracket 56 which is connected, as at58, to the free end of a pivotally mounted actuating arm 60 connected topinion gear 62.

Pinion gear is journaled for rotation on the elevated support plate 38and is in meshing engagement with an air-operated rack 64 so that apower stroke of the rack is effective in producing rotation in the gear62 and corresponding rotation in the actuating arm 60. A member 66 isconnected at one end, as at 68, to plate 38 and at its opposite end to ascrew serving as a pivot axis of gear 62.

Arcuate member 54 includes a cam groove 70 which accommodates adepending cam follower 72 located on one end of a label separator blade74 pivotally mounted, as at 76. At this point in the description, it isconvenient to note in FIG. 3 that the opposite end or separator portion78 of blade 74 is located rearwardly of the label supply station 16. Asa consequence, movement of the member 54 in the direction 18 iseffective in camming, when the follower 72 encounters the cam surface80, the blade 74 through clockwise movement which projects the separator78 over surface 44 of the label supply station 16. As will be pointedout subsequently, this movement of the separator portion 78 is effectivein isolating the bottom-positioned label 20 from the remainder of thesupply stack of labels to permit unimpeded movement of label 20. Thebottom label 20 is moved from beneath the separator 78 on track 50 alongthe label path of movement 18 to the sewing station 14.

Each bottom-positioned label 20 is successively transported to thesewing station 14 on a label-holding or blade member 82 which projectsfrom the front of the arcuate member 54 in the direction 18. Blade 82,as shown in FIG. 3, has a cornerreceiving notch 84 machined along itsback edge and also includes a tapered front edge 86 which facilitatesentry of the blade body between the folded portions of thebottom-positioned label 20. This is clearly illustrated by progressiveexamination of FIGS. 4-6, to which reference is now made.

As clearly illustrated in FIG. 4, appropriately mounted with a clearance88 above surface 44 of the label supply station 16 is a generallyrectangular mounting bracket 90 having a bottom ledge 92 which supportsa vertically oriented supply stack 94 of individual labels 20. Stack 94is actually contained within a box 96, the lower edges of which bound adispensing opening 98. Stack 94 thus moves under the influence ofgravity and of the vibratory movement (derived from its connection withthe sewing machine which vibrates during operation) through the opening98 into contact with surface 44. As previously noted, surface 44includes ports 48 which communicate via a network of passageways 100with a source of suction pressure 102 which is thus applied against thebottom-positioned label 20. This label is thus drawn firmly againstsurface 44 so that movement of the separator portion 78 during pivotalmovement of blade 74 about its pivot 76 results in the movement of theseparator 78 within the clearance 88 and into the stack 94 at thejuncture of the bottom-positioned label 20 and the label positioneddirectly above it. This interposed position of the separator portion 78is illustrated in FIG. 4a wherein it can be seen that thebottom-positioned label 20 is effectively isolated by the separator 78which positions the label 20, and also contributes to the support of theupper remaining portion of the label supply stack 94, which, therefore,enables unimpeded movement of the bottom-positioned label 20 frombeneath the separator portion 78 and the transportation thereof to thesewing station 14. Separator 78 could be a wire or air jet whichfunctions as a label-positioning means to position label 20 to enableunimpeded movement away from the label supply stack 94.

More specifically, once separator 78 is positioned above thebottom-positioned label 20, the mode of operation of the attachmentcontemplates the termination of the application of suction pressureagainst the label and the movement of blade 82 between the folds of thelabel, all as is clearly illustrated in FIG. 5.

As clearly illustrated in FIG. 5, movement of the blade 82 in thedirection 18 results in the front edge 86 thereof being projectedbetween the label folded portions 22 and 24. Ultimately, blade 82 isextended fully within the folds of the label 20 until the left-hand edge(as viewed in FIG. 5) of the fold line 28 seats in the notch 84. Whenthis occurs, label 20 is then in a folded relation about the blade 82and, of course, will be moved simultaneously with the movement of blade82 along the track 50 to the sewing station 14.

As may best be appreciated from a consideration of FIG. I and FIGS. 6,6a, and 66, sewing station 14 includes a pair of spaced-apart plates 104and 106 which cooperate with the upper surface 108 of the machine bed 12to define a recess or nest 110 for the label 20 destined to be deliveredto the sewing station 14. The portion of surface 108 coextensive withthe nest 110, like surface 44 at the label supply station 16, isprovided with suction ports 112 through which a suction pressure isapplied to firmly draw the label 20 within the nest I10. Nest 110 isbounded at its remote edge by a slidable ejector plate 114 presenting aforward edge or wall, generally designated 116, which, by virtue of itsadvantageous location is utilized, in a manner which will now bedescribed, for the favorable handling of the label 20 to facilitate thesubsequent sewing operation.

Specifically, wall 116 has a first encountered section 118 which runsadjacent track 50 and has a slight forward inclination towards thesewing station 14. Just beyond section 118 there is an abrupt severelyangularly inclined section 120 and then a substantially flat wallsection 122 which actually borders or bounds the nest 110. As clearlyshown in FIG. 6, dur' ing the delivery of label 20 to the nest 110, thelabel fold line 28 or, in any event, the area adjacent this fold line,actually moves in a clearance position past the wall section 118.However, the inclination of wall section 118 ultimately projects thiswall section and, certainly, the severely angularly inclined wallsection 120 into the path of movement of label 20 which results inphysical contact of the label fold line 28 against the wall section 120and the flattened section 122 which is a continuation thereof. This isdepicted in FIGS. 6a and 6bAs a consequence, the label fold line 28assumes the flattened shape of the wall section 122 and results inunfolding movement 124 of the upper folded portion 22 of the label. Thisunfolded condition of the label 20, in an obvious manner, facilitatesthe placement of the portion of a garment of the like within the labelpreparatory to the sewing attachment of the label thereto, all as waspreviously described in connection with FIGS. 2 and 2a.

As in the case of the label supply station 16, at sewing station 14, asuction pressure is applied through the ports 112 via passageways 126from an appropriate source 128 in order to firmly hold label 20 withinthe nest 110. Once this is accomplished, blade 82 is stripped or movedin the reverse direction from between the folded portions of the label20 and is returned to its ready position of FIG. 1 preparatory to a nextcycle of operation.

After removal of the blade 82, a garment or the like, as already noted,is inserted within the unfolded label 20 and a clamp or foot 130, asillustrated in FIG. 7, is lowered against and causes closing movement ofthe label portion 22 upon the garment. The sewing machine is thenoperated in a conventional manner during which there is simultaneousreciprocating vertical movement of the sewing needle 131 and movement ofthe foot 130 throughout a rectangular path which results in thealready-noted corresponding rectangular stitch pattern 35. Aftercompletion of the sewn attachment of label 20 about the garment elastic34, the operation of the sewing machine, again consistent withconventional operation, contemplates the lifting of the foot 130 andforward movement of the ejector 114 resulting in the ejection of thework from the machine bed 12.

In the foregoing description of operation, it was noted that alabel-holding suction pressure is applied against the label both at thelabel supply station 16 and at the sewing station 14. This applicationof suction pressure is, of course, not required at the same time sinceit is required only when there is a label being handled at theserespective stations. Accordingly, it is contemplated that theapplication of the suction pressure at the stations 16 and 14 be appliedsequentially or in tandem with the result that the previous operationcan be readily achieved through the expedient of an ordinary air valve.

Further noteworthy features of the invention are shown in FIGS. 8 and 8awhich illustrate the preferred manner of loading a supply stack oflabels 94 within the attachment l0 hereof. The supply stack 94 issupplied to the user in an outer box 132 which can, in a preferredembodiment, have the elongated slot 134 which provides the user with anindication of the number of labels on hand. The container or box 132 hasusual closure flaps at opposite ends, flap 136 being shown in FIG. 8.Removal of flap 136 uncovers the previously noted dispensing opening 98which, as previously described in connection with FIG. 4, must be placedin an inverted position on the supporting lip 92 of the bracket 90.

To obtain inversion or turning of the box 132 without spilling of labelstherefrom, use is made of a loading aid or device, generally designated138. Device 138 includes opposite sidewalls 140 and 142 which slip aboutand engage the sidewalls of the container 132. An L-shaped holdingmember 144 is so positioned on the device 138 as to project across andserve as a closure for the dispensing opening 98, all as is clearlyillustrated in FIG. 8. Movement of the member 144 into the opening 98 isfacilitated by the user pushing down on the curved handgrip 146. The box132 is then in condition to be inverted or turned 180 into the positionillustrated in FIG. 8a. In this position, the lower or dispensing end 98is then placed within the central opening of the bracket 90 until it isseated against the inwardly projecting supporting ledge 92.

An opening 148 in the front wall of the mounting bracket 90 provides thenecessary clearance for sliding removal of the holding member 144 fromabout the bottom of the container 132. Upon removal of the holdingdevice 138, there is gravity movement of the label stack 94 into contactwith the label supply station surface 44.

From the foregoing, it should be readily appreciated that there has beendescribed herein an efficiently operating labelfeeding attachment 10 forworking a supply stack of labels from its bottom and feeding labelsthereof, one at a time, from a laterally offset location, as at 16, to asewing station 14 directly in front of the seamstress or sewing machineoperator. Accordingly, there is no interference by the attachment 10with sewing, either by obstructing the view of the seamstress or in anyother way adversely effecting the operation of the sewing machine.Moreover, not only is a folded-type label 20 delivered to the sewingstation 14, but simultaneously with its delivery, the label is placed inan advantageously unfolded condition which facilitates the placement ofthe workpieces within its folded parts and thus significantly lessensthe time, handling and expenses involved in this sewing operation. Thissmall saving with each operation in turn results in a highly significantand substantial saving because of the highly repetitive nature oflabel-attaching procedures in the manufacture of most garments and thelike.

A latitude of modification, change and substitution is intended in theforegoing disclosure, and in some instances some features of theinvention will be employed without a corresponding use of otherfeatures. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims beconstrued broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scopeof the invention herein.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a sewing machine having means defining a sewingstation and a label-feeding attachment therefor, said attachmentcomprising a label supply station located in a laterally offset relationto said sewing station, storage means at said label supply station forplural labels of the type having folded portions representing a foldline defining one edge thereof, a track means defining a label path ofmovement from said label supply station to said sewing station, a labelcarrier operatively arranged for movement effective to transport a labelalong said track means, a holding member extending from said labelcarrier in said direction of said label path of movement effectivetotransport a label thereon in folded-over relation and with said foldline rearwardly disposed along said holding member, and label unfoldingmeans located adjacent said track means at said sewing station effectiveto establish contact with said label fold line so as to produceunfolding movement in the upper of said label-folded portions, wherebythere is facilitated positioning of a garment or the like within saidunfolded label preparatory to the sewing attachment of said label.

2. A sewing machine label-feeding attachment as defined in claim 1wherein said label-unfolding means comprises a surface operativelyeffective to cooperate with an adjacent surface of saidlabel-carrier-holding member to engage said label therebetween in areasadjacent said fold line thereof so as to produce said unfolding movementin said one label portion.

3. A sewing machine label-feeding attachment as defined in claim 1including a label-positioning means at said label supply stationoperatively arranged to coordinate with the movement of said labelcarrier to position the bottom label to permit unimpeded feedingmovement of said bottom label away from said supply stack toward saidsewing station.

4. A sewing machine label-feeding attachment as defined in claim 2including label-holding means at said label supply station and at saidsewing station effective to apply a suction pressure upon a cooperatinglabel thereat.

5. A sewing machine label-feeding attachment as defined in claim 4wherein said track means is horizontally oriented and said label storagemeans is vertically oriented.

6. A sewing machine label-feeding attachment as defined in claim 5including a label-separating blade at said label supply stationoperatively arranged in response to movement of said label carrier toenter said supply stack of labels so as to position the bottom label topermit unimpeded movement of said bottom label away from said supplystack toward said sewing station.

7. A method of dispensing labels from a supply stack thereof to remotesewing station preparatory to the sewing attachment thereof, said labelsbeing of the type having folded portions presenting a fold line definingone edge thereof, said method comprising the steps of orienting saidlabel supply stack vertically, successively positioning the then bottomlabel of said label supply stack so as to permit unimpeded feedingmovement of the bottom-positioned label, and causing said feedingmovement of said bottom-positioned label into said sewing station whilesimultaneously causing flattening in the area of said label coincidentwith said fold line, whereby said dispensed label partakes of unfoldingmovement to thereby facilitate the placement of a garment or the liketherein.

8. A method of dispensing labels as defined in claim 7 including thestep of applying a suction pressure against said bottom-positioned labelwhile it is a part of said supply stack to facilitate positioning saidlabel so as to permit unimpeded feeding movement of saidbottom-positioned label toward said sewing station.

9. A method of dispensing labels as defined in claim 8 including thefurther additional step of applying a holding suction pressure againstsaid bottom-positioned label at the time of delivery thereof to saidsewing station.

1. In combination, a sewing machine having means defining a sewingstation and a label-feeding attachment therefor, said attachmentcomprising a label supply station located in a laterally offset relationto said sewing station, storage means at said label supply station forplural labels of the type having folded portions representing a foldline defining one edge thereof, a track means defining a label path ofmovement from said label supply station to said sewing station, a labelcarrier operatively arranged for movement effective to transport a labelalong said track means, a holding member extending from said labelcarrier in said direction of said label path of movement effective totransport a label thereon in folded-over relation and with said foldline rearwardly disposed along said holding member, and label unfoldingmeans located adjacent said track means at said sewing station effectiveto establish contact with said label fold line so as to produceunfolding movement in the upper of said label-folded portions, wherebythere is facilitated positioning of a garment or the like within saidunfolded label preparatory to the sewing attachment of said label.
 2. Asewing machine label-feeding attachment as defined in claim 1 whereinsaid label-unfolding means comprises a surface operatively effective tocooperate with an adjacent surface of said label-carrier-holding memberto engage said label therebetween in areas adjacent said fold linethereof so as to produce said unfolding movement in said one labelportion.
 3. A sewing machine label-feeding attachment as defined inclaim 1 including a label-positioning means at said label supply stationoperatively arranged to coordinate with the movement of said labelcarrier to position the bottom label to permit unimpeded feedingmovement of said bottom label away from said supply stack toward saidsewing station.
 4. A sewing machine label-feeding attachment as definedin claim 2 including label-holding means at said label supply stationand at said sewing station effective to apply a suction pressure upon acooperating label thereat.
 5. A sewing machine label-feeding attachmentas defined in claim 4 wherein said track means is horizontally orientedand said label storage means is vertically oriented.
 6. A sewing machinelabel-feeding attachment as defined in claim 5 including alabel-separating blade at said label supply station operatively arrangedin response to movement of said label carrier to enter said supply stackof labels so as to position the bottom label to permit unimpededmovement of said bottom label away from said supply stack toward saidsewing station.
 7. A method of dispensing labels from a supply stackthereof to remote sewing station preparatory to the sewing attachmentthereof, said labels being of the type having folded portions presentinga fold line defining one edge thereof, said method comprising the stepsof orienting said label supply stack vertically, successivelypositioning the then bottom label of said label supply stack so as topermit unimpeded feeding movement of the bottom-positioned label, andcausing said feeding movement of said bottom-positioned label into saidsewing station while simultaneously causing flattening in the area ofsaid label coincident with said fold line, whereby said dispensed labelpartakes of unfolding movement to thereby facilitate the placement of agarment or the like therein.
 8. A method of dispensing labels as definedin claim 7 including the step of applying a suction pressure againstsaid bottom-positioned label while it is a part of said supply stack tofacilitate positioning said label so as to permit unimpeded feedingmovement of said bottom-positioned label toward said sewing station. 9.A method of dispensing labels as defined in claim 8 including thefurther additional step of applying a holding suction pressure againstsaid bottom-positioned label at the time of delivery thereof to saidsewing station.